Between Function and Feeling: The Dual Identity of Rednote as an Informative Platform and Cultural Brand

I need you to produce a full master’s thesis (around 7000 words) in APA 7th style.

Thesis title:
“Between Function and Feeling: The Dual Identity of Rednote as an Informative Platform and Cultural Brand”

Research focus:

This thesis explores:

1. How Rednote (Xiaohongshu) has evolved from a peer-to-peer information-sharing community into a cultural brand.
2. How the platform simultaneously builds credibility (informative trust) and emotional connection.
3. What this dual identity means for creative enterprises and platform-based branding in the digital era.

Structure requirements:

1. Title Page (APA 7 format)
2. Abstract (150–200 words)
3. Introduction (500–700 words)
4. Literature Review (~2,000 words) with 5 sub-sections:
   • Platforms as Creative Enterprises
   • Informative Communities
   • Emotional Branding & Algorithmic Aesthetics
   • Trust, Misinformation, and Platform Governance
   • Social Commerce and Hybrid Monetization Models
5. Methodology
   • Case study approach (5–10 prototypical / unique / revelatory posts)
   • Secondary data analysis (instead of surveys, using published studies, platform reports, and academic data)
   • Personal experiential insights as a Rednote user
   • Use of PESO model, Storyboard mapping, and Persona analysis
6. Rednote’s Historical Development and Strategic Evolution (2013–2025)
7. Findings / Case Study Analysis
8. Discussion
   • Compare Rednote’s hybrid model with TikTok’s entertainment-first model
9. Conclusion
   • Summarize contributions, implications for creative enterprises, limitations, and future research
10. References (APA 7 format)

Style requirements:

• Formal academic tone, clear and logical structure.
• Use APA 7 for in-text citations and references.
• Integrate insights from the following key sources (and any relevant additional academic literature):
  • van Dijck (2013) The Culture of Connectivity
  • Zhao (2021) Soft Power, Platform Aesthetics, and the Emotional Economy of Xiaohongshu
  • Gillespie (2018) Custodians of the Internet
  • Jenkins (2006) Convergence Culture
  • Tan (2024) Critical Research on Xiaohongshu for Chinese Teenagers
  • Yi & Xian (2024) KOCs and Xiaohongshu’s Social Commerce Model
  • Zhang et al. (2025) TikTok Ban and the Rise of Xiaohongshu: A Case Study on Cross-cultural Communication
  • Class lecture content on creative enterprises, case study methodology, and secondary data analysis.
• Length: around 7000 words.

Expected output:

• Deliver the complete thesis as a .docx Word document, with each chapter clearly separated.
• Ensure every section flows logically and is well-supported with in-text citations and a reference list.

Key notes:

• The case study section should analyze real Rednote content (types of posts, tone, cultural narratives).
• Discuss how Rednote’s dual identity differentiates it from entertainment-only platforms like TikTok.
• Focus on Rednote as a creative enterprise that blends practical knowledge with cultural influence.